Memorial tournament is a real winner for ‘Mr Football’

First published
in News
by Joe Nimmo, Senior reporter. Call me on (01865) 425373

“WE hope that Derek will be remembered for his passion, his will to win and his support to all his players.

“Oxfordshire will be a quieter place without him on the sidelines.”

Those were the inspiring words of Darren Measor about his dad Derek Measor as players gathered for a tournament in memory of the longtime football manager.

Saturday’s event marked six months since his cycle was in a collision in Watlington Road, near Garsington on February 17.

Dozens of players and friends attended Abingdon Town Football Club, in Culham Road, Abingdon to remember the 56-year-old dad-of-two.

He played for Watlington Town FC, managed Rover Cowley FC for more than 15 years and was deputy manager at Oxford University Press FC.

Six teams played throughout the day in memory of the Manchester United fan and BMW factory worker.

His son’s poignant words were in leaflets thanking those who attended the tournament, which he organised.

He told the Oxford Mail: “It went well.

“We’ve had a lot of helping hands from people willing to offer their support because they knew my dad.

“I was glad to see all the people who turned up and it’s great to do something that he loved to remember him.”

“I just want to thank everyone for their support and for coming along.

“We are hoping that it is going to become an annual thing, and we can learn from this first one to make it even better.”

Mr Measor’s wife Jacky , who lives in Vicarage Close in Chalgrove, added: “It was a little bit surreal.

“It was a difficult one because football was such a big part of his life.

“A lot of people came who just wanted to come and pay their respects, even people who can’t stand football.”

The hospital administrator, 53, continued: “But it is not quite the thing to think ‘I’m here at my husband’s memorial tournament’.

“It didn’t feel right.”

The event raised £1,085 for Diabetes UK, which was chosen because Mr Measor had type one diabetes.

Johnson Nwanekezi, 40, of Beauvoir Road in Reading, is due to stand trial at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on September 29 accused of causing Mr Measor’s death by careless driving.

Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed